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Softball Inks Two for 2011

TUCSON -- The Arizona softball team signed two high school student-athletes to letters of intent on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA's early signing period.

Shelby Babcock (P/1B, Legacy High School, Broomfield, Colo.) and Chelsea Suitos (SS, Elk Grove, Calif. High School) are both committed to enroll at the UA next fall.

'I am very excited about the two young ladies that have signed,' said Head Coach Mike Candrea. 'Both are not only great athletes but tremendous people that will be a great addition to our program and the Tucson community.'

Through three years of high school ball, Babcock has won three state titles in the 5A class and was named the Pitcher of the Year by the Rocky Mountain News three times. She was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2009 and the Denver Post awarded her state tournament MVP honors.

'Shelby brings great size and athleticism, and she is a great competitor,' said Candrea. 'I think Shelby will get better and better under the watchful eye of Coach Wilson. She is also a good hitter and loves to be in the lineup everyday.

Fowler and Babcock will give us a great foundation on the mound for the future of our program.'

Babcock's travel ball team, the Colorado Styxx, was the Colorado ASA champions four years in a row. She is also the first player from Colorado to be recruited to the UA.

Suitos is a left-handed hitter whose high school team has reached the playoffs all three years, including recently reaching the section finals in the highly-competitive Northern California area.

'Chelsea is a tremendous athlete that will bring a great passion and energy to the program,' Candrea said. 'She is a great communicator on the field and will play each inning with great enthusiasm, preparation and love for the game.'

Sorcerer Gold, Suitos' club team, won the 2009 ASA Gold 18u championship in Oklahoma City over the summer and finished in the top 15 in 2008.

Up Next: Arizona opens the season on Feb. 12 against Western Michigan at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.